Olatunji - Zungo! Afro Percussion (Remastered) (1961/2022) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

A much desired reissue of another obscure Afro-Jazz piece of vinyl. This is legendary percussionist and activist Olatunji's classic album originally released in 1961 and featuring Jazz heavyweights such as Yusef Lateef - Clark Terry, George Duvivier, and master percussionists like Ray Barreto and Montego Joe among others. Zungo sounds as some sort of an ongoing orgy in Afro percussion grooves with Olatunji at the head of a large and varied group including horns, guitar, bass, multiple percussion and drums, plus a 13 piece choir.

One of Olatunji's best albums, and a record that breaks out of his usual straight hard percussion stuff by adding some jazz players like Yusef Lateef, Clark Terry, and George Duvivier. There's also some singers augmenting the ensemble, but they drop out in parts, and the percussion and jazz take over. Olatunji's joined by Ray Barretto and Montego Joe on congas, and the whole thing grooves like one of Art Blakey's jazz/percussion experiments.

Babatunde Olatunji, vocals, drums[African]
Al Schackman, guitar
Yusef Lateef, flute, woodwind
W. Lee, bass
George Duvivier, bass
Clark Terry, trumpet
Edward Bailey, trumpet
James Nottingham, trumpet
Ray Barretto, congas, timbales
Beans Whitley, drums[African]
James Bey, drums[African]
Montigo Joe*, drums[African]
Taiwo Duval, drums[African]
Rudy Collins, drums[Trap]
Adele Potter, vocals
Adunni Pearson, vocals
Afuavi Derby, vocals
Aquasiba Derby, vocals
Babalola Jones, vocals
Chinyelu Ajuluchuku, vocals
Christine Chapman, vocals
Oyinka Parker, vocals
Ernie Truesdale, vocals
Helena Walquer, vocals
Mario Timmons, vocals
Melvin Edwards, vocals
Popoola Moore, vocals

Tracklist
1. Masque Dance (09:56)
2. Zungo (04:03)
3. Ajua (06:18)
4. Esum Buku Wa-Ya (05:15)
5. Gelewenke (04:23)
6. Jolly Mensah (07:00)
7. Philistine (04:25)